Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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285. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision continues to be made for those retiring at 65 years of age; the extent of any recent progress in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33383/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66. The payment is provided for under Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) legislation as appropriate. There were just over 4,000 people receiving this support at the end of May 2023.

A key feature of the payment is that recipients do not have to sign on or partake in activation measures or to be available for and genuinely seeking work to avail of it. Unlike other Jobseeker's Benefit customers, who are paid at a graduated rate according to their previous earnings, recipients of this payment are paid at the maximum personal rate of Jobseeker's Benefit. The personal rate has increased from €208 to €220 as part of Budget 2023.

In relation to recent progress, regulations have been signed in relation to persons with income from an Approved Retirement Scheme (ARF). The regulations provide that a self-employed contributor in receipt of income solely from an ARF is treated the same as a person without income from an ARF when it comes to eligibility for Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed). In both cases the loss of employment by a self-employed person founded on the person's PRSI contributions are relevant determining factors.

Where a person does not qualify for Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds they may be eligible for support under the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions for that scheme.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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286. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to indicate, notwithstanding replies to previous Parliamentary Questions on behalf of a person (details supplied), whether the circumstances might be urgently considered with a view to granting the pension in question given the evidence already submitted and being submitted, and that they continue to be a medical card holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33396/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in previous Parliamentary Question replies, state pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the state, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

An Irish state pension application can only be awarded when the deciding officer is satisfied that all the eligibility conditions for the scheme are met. Entitlement to a medical card is not linked to state pension conditionality.

As the Deputy is aware, the state pension claim of the person concerned is being reviewed. On 19 June 2023, the Deciding Officer wrote to the person, setting out the evidential requirements to assess their satisfaction of the habitual residency condition, in order to determine their eligibility.

On receipt of the requested documentation, the Deciding Officer will complete their review and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.